Chapter 44

Eleanor's relationship with Margaret was strained, but it was even worse with Edward. The distance between them was so vast that calling it "distant" felt like an understatement.

As the head of the family and chairman of the company, Edward naturally carried his work habits into his personal life—authoritative, commanding, and never to be questioned.

If Margaret made Eleanor feel like she was endlessly favoring Isabella, Edward made her feel nothing at all—just cold indifference.

He was rarely home, and in Eleanor's memories, he had never once fulfilled his role as a father. But what he did do was maintain the authority of "the head of the family," and no one was allowed to challenge it. Despite having been back for years, this was Eleanor's first time eating alone with him.

When she arrived, he was already waiting in the private room. He was looking at his wrist impatiently to check the time.

"Sorry that I'm late," Eleanor said.

Edward didn't seem angry. He just gave her a brief glance and then gestured to the seat next to him. "Have a seat."

Eleanor didn't move. Her eyes drifted to the other settings on the table—including hers and Edward's, there were five sets of utensils.

"Someone else will be joining us soon," Edward remarked, noticing her hesitation.

Eleanor's mind quickly raced, and her voice tightened. "People from the Hughes family?"

"Oh, you know about them?" Edward replied, remarkably calm. "Did your mother tell you? That's even better. Mr. Hughes has some free time these days, so you and his son can meet first..."

"I don't want to meet him," Eleanor interrupted firmly. "I'm here today to make something clear—please stop interfering in my life. I have nothing to do with any of you anymore. So, please don't do such ridiculous things again."

Eleanor was about to turn and leave when Edward suddenly let out a soft laugh. "Eleanor, the one being ridiculous here is you.

"Do you really think you can sever ties with the Harrison family just because you want to? Don't kid yourself into thinking paying those medical bills is enough.

"The moment I speak up, that woman will be transferred to another hospital. And I can guarantee you, there won't be another hospital in all of Coppersville willing to take her."

A weakness—everyone had one.

Love, family, friendship, or any number of other ties.

But Eleanor never imagined that her own father would use her weakness as leverage against her one day. Her hands clenched involuntarily, and she ground her teeth together in frustration.

"If you don't want to watch that woman die, then sit down and behave," Edward said. "Besides, it's just a meal. You're divorced. The man might not even be interested in you."

"And if he's not?" Eleanor shot back, her voice sharp. "You plan to keep setting me up with men, finding someone who'll buy into me, bleed me dry of whatever little value I have left?"

By now, Eleanor didn't bother speaking respectfully. She knew full well that the Harrison family had never cared about her happiness when they refused to let her divorce Nathaniel.

It was all about... benefits.

After all, the Carter family was wealthy and influential. The Harrison family only needed to cling to that one family connection. Her own well-being? That wasn't even on their radar.

"Eleanor, watch your tone," Edward warned, his brows furrowing. "You chose this path for yourself. Look around at all of Coppersville—who could possibly compare to Nathaniel? You gave up the best option available to you!"

Edward was about to say more, but before he could, the door to the private room opened again.

Upon seeing who had entered, he immediately swallowed his words, and a smile quickly spread across his face. "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Hughes."